Independence 1775 by KenW - FINISHED - Scale 1:48 - American Privateer

[lmagna]

Hi Dave

I have this transom, in fact I posted about it a number of months ago, and you are right it is very impressive to say the least. Like almost everything else on my build I will have to alter it but the results will probably still be far better than anything I could do from scratch.

[KenW]

I began planking the lower hull.  The first step was to create a plan so that I knew how many strakes I would need and the size of each plank.  The result was that I would need 16 strakes of 1/32 walnut, 3/16 inches wide.

I started from the wales working down and had a problem right away.  The walnut planks always broke when I tried to edge bend them. The bend at the bow is pretty drastic and while the holly I used for the lower wale was able to withstand the bend, the walnut always snapped.  Even when soaked in water for a few minutes, the strip would snap. So, the only solution was to try to spile each plank at the bow. As I haven’t spiled before, I consulted an article on this site by Chuck Passaro and found that after a few tries, I could get a decent spile.  I planked the first 7 strakes.

But now I have a new problem/question.  This ship has a unusual bow shape. The photo above doesn’t look too bad.  But when I turn the boat over, the lower strakes look off. The lowest planks seemed to curve up.

I don’t know if I should have included a drop plank, or if everything will look fine when the whole side is done.  I was going to plank the upper half of the other side next, but I decided to do the rest of this side and see how it looks.  That way I would only have to redo one side. If anyone wants to make some suggestions, please do.

 

[lmagna]

Hi Ken 

I am no means an authority as i am just working up to planking my first hull as well. The same hull you are doing in fact as i have said before. Your's looks great to me and I hope I will be able to do as well! I do find it interesting that when figuring out how many of the 5 mm supplied planks I would need between the wales and keel I also came up with 16 to 17 depending on the width of my garboard plank.

 

Watching your progress with much interest.

Edited July 5, 2018 by lmagna

[DocBlake]

Ken: The planks should curve upward somewhat at the bow and each plank needs to be tapered.  The hull measurement at the bow is considerably less than amidships.

[mtaylor]

Hi Ken,

With walnut, bending is always an issue due to the grain.  Heat and water will sometimes help, sometimes not as it depends on the "age" of the wood.  She's looking pretty sharp to these eyes.

[KenW]

Thanks Lou, Dave and Mark.  Your comments lead me to believe that I'm on the right track.  My strakes do get thinner at the bow; and my Walnut must be "old".

It'll be interesting to see when the planks that I'm adding from the keel upward meet those that were added from the wales down. 

Cheers.

[DocBlake]

I think you are on the right track.  The planking looks great!

[KenW]

Well, with only 3 strakes to go, the planking actually looks fine.  I guess Dave and Mike were right. So thanks for the encouragement.

The last strake may still be a little tricky, but I believe that is normal.

 

 

 

[DocBlake]

Great job on the planking!  I knew it would turn out beautifully.  You're right about the last plank: it is a little tricky with small changes in width etc.  It's actually kind of fun...and when it's fit, you're done!

[KenW]

The starboard side of the lower planking is complete.  It still needs to be more sanding with finer grades and then the apply clear stain and polyurethane.  When I started I used pencil to mimic the caulking, but I couldn’t see it once some initial sanding was done, so I just stopped using the pencil.  The planking will just look the way it looks. Most of the planks at the bow area are spiled. Some of the rest are edge bent, some not. But I’m happy with the way it turned out.  There are no dropped planks or stealers at the bow. On to the port side!

         

 

In my spare time I began looking at the transom.  The dye-cast metal transom provided by the kit is obviously too big for the reduced scale of my model, so I know I will have to create my own.  But the kit’s transom is ‘longer’ than necessary. I hangs down over the counter like a ‘skirt’. Did boats of this era really have that? None of the models I’ve seen, including those in the Rodger’s collection at Annapolis have that.  I’m thinking I’ll end the transom where the counter starts. Any thoughts?

 

 

Edited July 10, 2018 by KenW

[KenW]

The lower planking is complete.  The port side looks pretty much like the starboard, which is good.  I sanded both sides and applied clear stain to the walnut. Then a coat of polyurethane to give it a finished look.  I’m pleased with the walnut’s color. I also added the stern post and finished the counter planking.

 

[alde]

Ken, you mentioned that you edge bent the lower wale. Did you also edge bend the planking between the wales? I edge bent the planks between the wales on my Halifax and found it could have been better. I had to remove all the planking because it was not positioned properly. Now I have a chance to do a better job. The spacing is even from bow to stern like yours. Your hull looks very similar to Halifax.

 

By the way your Independence is looking great.

Edited July 28, 2018 by alde

[KenW]

Thanks for the comment Al.  And thanks to the 'likes'.

I didn't edge bend the boxwood between the wales.  I was able to bend the 1/32 plank and it fit fine.  The lower wale was thicker and I felt needed the edge bend.  I should point out that most all of the planks at the bow were spilled.

Good luck on your build.

Cheers.

[alde]

Thank you Ken. That helps me a lot. I tried edge bending the planks and it looked ok but just wasn’t right. I’m really glad I removed it and have a another shot st doing it right.

[russ]

Ken:

You are making very good progress. The hull planking came out very well. I think the color choices are attractive. I would not have thought walnut could look that good, but it does. Good work. 

 

Russ

 

 

 

[KenW]

Thanks Russ.  And thanks to all the 'likes'.

[DocBlake]

We're waiting for an update, Ken!

[KenW]

I haven’t made an entry in quite awhile due to a family issue.  But I’m back in the shipyard and can report on some progress. First, I noticed that even though I used satin polyurethane, there is quite a shine on the lower planking.  So I sanded it with 400 grade sandpaper and wiped it down with a tack cloth. I did not add another coat of urethane. It looks much better.

 

Next I added vertical supports along the bulwarks which I assume were added during the conversion from a merchant/fishing boat to an armed privateer.  I used wider supports where the gun ports are. I will probably replace the supports on the quarterdeck where those guns will be mounted. I stopped in the bow area so I can coordinate the supports with the location of the catheads and anchor hawse holes.

I also made the windlass.  I ‘bastardized’ the windlass from Syren’s Cheerful model kit.  I had to make changes since this model is narrower that the Cheerful model.  I reduced the section with three holes down to two and got Chuck to let me have another section so both sides of the windlass are the same.  I think it came out rather well. Of course, I changed the ‘supports’ from boxwood to walnut. Note: It isn’t glued yet.

 

 

[rafine]

Looking great Ken.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Thanks Bob; and thanks to the 'likes'.

Cheers.

[KenW]

I’m surprised at  how long it’s been since my last entry.  A death in the family, another surgical procedure and a great family reunion have  happened, but I have been working on my model during a along these two months. I have to make entries more often.  Anyway, this is where I am at present.

 

I made the binnacle.  I based my design on some models being built in my club and a few photos I found on the web.  As my friend at the club said, “All binnacles were the same. Two compasses with a lantern in the middle.”

          

I made the cap rails from a1/32 inch sheet and some strips.  I finished planking the side and completed the cap rail all the way to the stern.  Also, I made the rudder and attached it to the hull. And I added stairs from the water line up the hull and a ladder from the main deck to the quarter deck

So I have some more deck furniture to make, and the transom and stem carvings, as well as the quarter badges to create.

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by KenW

[KenW]

I’ve resolved to add entries to this log more often.  So, I made two changes to my Independence. I added the gunwale posts in the bow area and the anchor bumpers.  (I don’t know if ‘anchor bumpers’ is the correct name, but it is descriptive.) This reminds me that I need to drill the holes for the anchor cables.

 

[DocBlake]

Very nice, Ken!  I believe the anchor bumpers/guards are called “billboards”.

[KenW]

Thanks Dave;  thanks for the 'likes' as well.

 

[Kurt Johnson]

Jen,

 

Each one gets better than the last. And the first one was good.

 

Kurt

[KenW]

Thanks Kurt.  That's all I try to do.

[KenW]

I made more deck ‘furniture’.  First is the bilge pumps. I used the pump kit from Syren’s Cheerful.  I made the pumps shorter because I felt the resultant pump looked better on this boat.

I added the other stairs for personnel coming aboard over the side.  Also, I made the bits, including the main bit with the ship’s bell. The bell is the only item from the original kit that I’ve used. Neither the pumps nor the bits are glued on yet; so they may look akilter.  I like the way the bow looks with its ‘side burns’.

The transom will be next.

 

[DocBlake]

Looking great, Ken!  The bell was the only thing I used, also!

[KenW]

Finally, I finished the transom.  I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to use the dye-cast metal transom supplied in the AL kit as it was now out of scale.  I had to set about making my own. I ran into a problem, however, because I made the windows just a little bit too big. One of the carvings wouldn’t fit.   So I left it off and made a variation of the smaller carving to fill in the space. I’m satisfied with the result.

A view of the other side with the knees added.

The carvings on the stem will be next.

 

[DocBlake]

Great job on the transom, Ken!